It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas........

Look what postie brought me today.....all the way from Norway! I checked the weather and at the moment it's -16 degrees where this sweet little ornament came from, and 39 degrees here in Mudgee. Maybe I should move to Norway!

I was so excited when I got the parcel, and even more so when I saw that it was from Anne Heidi. It's just perfect for me, so thank you Anne Heidi. I will try to be good and not touch my Christmas present, which is sweltering under the tree wishing it was back in Norway!

It is so hot that very little of anything will be achieved tonight. We have splashed out on prawns for dinner and plan to be very lazy.

Happy weekend!

Susan x

You guessed it.......

.......more zipper bags. This should be the last lot for a while. The novelty has worn off somewhat.

I wish I'd used a bolder contrasting colour for the lining and zippers, but too late now.

Now to pop something sweet or scented inside them all and wrap them up.

I thought i was very sneaky with my SSCS this year, but my partner worked it out as soon as her parcel arrived. Now it is my turn to wait for postie.

Hope you're having a happy week.

Susan x

Purchases and swap

As a lucky regular visitor to the Home Patch, I didn't have a very long shopping list yesterday. Topped up a couple of favourite fabrics, two secret fq, some pelon and walnut shells, and cute little labels. And another Anni notepad, very good for the gift box.

We also had a little swap of Make it, Bake it or Fake it. I was lucky enough to receive from the lovely, prolific Peg. A cute covered notebook, and some Lindt chocolate (yum), all wrapped in some beautiful fabric.

What do you think I made? A little French General zipper bag of course, and I was very happy that Anita picked it out. It will go well with the little purse I made to match her bag!

It is just too hot today, and Summer hasn't even started. I hope you're keeping cool (or warm) wherever you are.

Susan x

I'm a happy little blogger!

Just home from a lovely day out. After picking Deb up on the way, we arrived at The Home Patch for our blog meet as the doors opened. We spent a very happy two hours enjoying the shop, shopping and chatting.

Here's Lea, Deb and Fiona deciding what to buy.

Anni does a fabulous job decorating the shop and displaying fabrics. Even when you think you've seen it all, you still find other little treasures.

I had to quickly pop into Spotlight....for more zippers.....then we went to Chai Wallah for lunch. We even had our own room. Show and Tell was as amazing as always. Chookyblue had some beautiful quilt tops that were on their way to the quilter. And Chookyblue, Janice and Kate all showed their gorgeous SKOW quilts. Lovely work girls. I love seeing the same quilt made with different fabric choices and quilting.

Lea showed us the two antique quilts she bought in the States, and lots of photos from her trip. Must start saving now! No photos, the iPad just didn't do them justice.

We also had a visit from Chookyblue's little sister and her sweet little baby boy.

It was just a lovely, fun, relaxed day out with friends.......very special.

Susan x

Tis The Season

Ta-da! Tis The Season is finished in time for the blog meet and Christmas. I'm very happy with my hand quilting.......I like all those straight lines now.

This is my favourite block.

My portable sewing has been a couple more of these little Christmas cushions by Gail Pan. I love Running Postman from Cottage Garden Threads.

Posted my SSCS on Monday, but still enjoying some festive sewing. Hope you are too.

Susan x

FNSI

A little bit slow getting back after FNSI. It started out ok, but after the kids went to bed I got sidetracked with Christmas and Santa planning for the family. Also did a lot of online Christmas shopping. And I did get some quilting done.

I think it will be okay finished, but as I'm working on it I'm a bit unsure of the straight line hand quilting. Only one more side to go so I won't be unpicking it.

I've spent the morning in the garden and hoping to get back to sewing after lunch. I hope you're having a lovely Sunday.

Susan x

FNSI

I'm joining in FNSI tonight. Perfect cool, wet weather for quilting my TTS. Or doing some Christmas stitchery. Or making another zipper bag out of this fabric.

Also having lots of fun making stop motion movies with imotion app. Hope you have a great night and weekend, whatever you're up to.

Susan x

More zipper bags

Spent last night making two more sets of zipper bags for Christmas.

I love this print. It's from the Moda Basic Grey range.

And trying to get my TTS quilted for the blog meet next week.

Susan x

Hexie love

Half inch hexie anyone?

265 of the little lovelies ready to start Brigitte Giblin's Little Hexagon Purse. I've used up a lot of French General scraps, and added some other reds and creams too, but mostly reds.

I'll be back sewing zipper bags too now that I have replenished my zipper supply. And Spotlight had 25% off zippers while I was there yesterday. Thank goodness I went there before Mr 13 went to the orthodontist!

Definitely starting to feel the Christmas spirit creeping in - six weeks to go!! I think I need to get some elves working for me.

Susan x

Hot off the press

Look what came in the mail today.........a new release.

Happy weekend everyone.

Susan x

Blog meet

Looking forward to meeting up with some fellow bloggers for lunch and shopping at The Home Patch on Saturday 24 November. Pop over to Chookyblue for more info.

With that in mind I am trying to finish my TTS for show and tell. Just quilting straight lines in the borders. I hope this hot weather goes away so I can keep going.

Hope you're having a good week.

Susan x

Sunday afternoon

I think I need an intervention!

Time to go and check my Christmas list.........to see who else might need a zippy bag. Oh, and I've run out of zippers until next week when I can get to Spotlight. Probably just as well.

Susan x

Friday Night With Friends

FNWF started out with me lying on the lounge thinking the only thing I was going to do was go to bed. But after a bit of blogging I got up and got motivated and produced two more zipper bags. These are the medium size.......and they just need the turning hole stitched up. The one on the right is actually a much prettier green than it looks in this pic.

Do you think the zipper pull needs a little something........like a bit of ribbon or a little felt circle? I'm not sure.

Then I noticed the Noodlehead tutorial for the lil cutie pouch so thought I'd have a go at that. Well honestly, ten minutes later it was finished!!! This little baby measures 5 1/2" by 3 1/2".

So after a slow start, it was a very productive night. Catching up on all the usual chores today, and helping hubby enjoy the last of his annual leave.

Hope you have a great weekend.

Susan x